Seeking top ballet talent 

Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Division (RWB School) is travelling to 14 cities across Canada and the United States to audition young artists for their prestigious professional training programs. Two virtual auditions will also take place in the New Year. “I encourage every aspiring artist with a passion to dance professionally to come out and audition,” shares Suzanne André, Principal, Professional Division. “If you want to explore the possibility of your passion becoming your lifelong career, now is the time to audition.” 

In-person and virtual auditions give artists the opportunity to audition from anywhere across the country and around the globe and secure a spot at one of the top classical ballet training centres in Canada. 

The RWB School auditions young artists for their two world-class, full-time Professional Division Programs: 

• Ballet Academic Program for grade 6 and up, is a full-time, seven-level program for young artists. 
• Anna McCowan-Johnson Aspirant Program is a full-time, two-year, post-secondary training program for advanced-level classical ballet dancers who are making the transition from student to professional artist. 

“The RWB School was my home away from home for four years. It’s a place that teaches technique and also recognizes and encourages a dancer’s unique spark, creativity, and passion,” shares Elizabeth Lamont, RWB Principal artist and graduate of the RWB School Professional Division. 

Following the audition process, selected students are invited to attend Summer Session in July 2024 in Winnipeg. After this intensive session, chosen students are accepted into the Regular Session training program from September 2024 to June 2025. 

All students attending the RWB School Summer and Regular Session experience the new state-of-the-art RWB Student Living Centre. Completed in January 2022, the five-level contemporary building connects directly to the RWB studios and includes dance and fitness studios, classrooms, recreation and relaxation spaces, an outdoor greenspace, a top-tier food service program and more – all in the spirit of balancing professional training with quality of life and student comfort. Visit RWB School Student Living Centre for more details.

“Today’s best practices for child safety and child development were the driving forces in the design of the RWB Student Living Centre which I know reassures families making the sometimes-difficult decision to send their child away from home. It is a spectacular place where young people from around the world develop their artistry and their characters, cultivate lifetime friendships and experience training alongside Company artists in RWB’s studios,” adds RWB School Director, Stéphane Léonard. 

Students who are unable to attend in-person or virtual auditions may send in a video application through the world’s largest arts network Acceptd, with a deadline date of May 1, 2024. Visit getacceptd.com/rwbschool to review requirements and submit video audition materials. 

The Winnipeg audition will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, 380 Graham Avenue. The time is now to register online. For the full 2023-24 RWB School Audition Tour City Schedule and registration details, visit RWB School Professional Division Audition | Locations, Schedules & Registration Details, email the RWB School at [email protected] or call 1.204.957.3467. 

The RWB School Professional Division Audition tour has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada and the Manitoba Arts Council. The RWB School gratefully acknowledges the support of our 2023-24 Auditions Presenting Sponsor IG Wealth Management, which also provides scholarships for one student from every province to attend Summer Session each year.